The Blind Preacher

The Rev. Dr. James Waddel was as eloquent in private conversation as in the pulpit. He was very communicative, and in the company of young persons, would go on for a quarter, or sometimes half an hour, in the most animated and delightful discourse; and, on the subject of practical and experimental religion, these discourses were most edifying. I never heard him preach but once, and that was when he was perfectly blind. The subject was the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican. This passage of Scripture was repeated by him with perfect accuracy, and the discourse was masterly. The description of the Pharisee was striking, and in some respects new to me, as he exhibited him according to the character which he had among the people who had no suspicion of his hypocrisy, but venerated him as a man of superior sanctity and elevated devotion. His manner was not harsh, but highly animated. This was true of all his conversation. Whenever he discoursed on any subject, he entered into it with his whole soul.

While Dr. Waddel was settled in Lancaster county, in Virginia, he was visited by Mr. Whitefield, who spent a week in that region, preaching, as usual, very frequently, and with amazing power, and leaving behind him many fruits of his ministry. But the gen” tlemen connected with Dr. Waddel’s congregation greatly preferred the style of eloquence with which their pastor had made them familiar, to the more fervid oratory of Whitefield. I once heard the celebrated Patrick Henry; and my opinion is, that Mr. Henry’s eloquence was better adapted to produce its effect on the great body of the people, and Dr. Waddel’s most suited to persons of education and refinement.

He was a man of most affectionate disposition, and in his treatment of strangers was remarkably courteous. In the expression of his own opinions, he was as free and independent as any man I ever knew. Whatever sentiments he entertained he would express with perfect freedom on all occasions, however they might differ from those of the persons with whom he conversed. In his person he was tall and very slender. At home he wore a white linen cap; in the pulpit a full-bottomed wig — which was the custom of the clergy in his day. He was disposed to treat with great respect those who differed from him, even though he might consider them as holding serious errors; neither, in matters of practical religion, did he make a man an offender for a word. Always exemplary in his life, he was as far as possible from pharisaic precision, and never frowned upon the truly innocent enjoyments of the young. There was great naturalness, as well as great dignity, pervading his whole demeanor.